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Naquin finds more power with change of stance

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Naquin's homer adds to lead 0:20

2/27/14: Tyler Naquin launches a home run in the seventh inning to score Luke Carlin and give the Indians an 11-1 lead

By Jordan Bastian
/
MLB.com |

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Tyler Naquin worked hard on implementing a change to his stance last season, with the idea of generating more power in his swing. The Indians outfield prospect put the alterations on display during Thursday's 12-3 victory over the Reds.

In the seventh inning, Naquin launched a two-run home run, giving a glimpse of his power potential. Last season, the outfielder concentrated on that aspect of his offense by making an adjustment to how he used his legs in his swing.

"I feel like I have a better chance to drive the baseball better," Naquin said Friday morning. "It showed in the [Arizona] Fall League and a little bit towards the end of last year. I'll just carry it over and keep sticking with it. 'Power hitter' is not even in my range. That's not my game. But I can hit the ball out to any part of the field on the right pitch.

"It'll give me a better chance to hit more home runs, but my job is to get on base, hit doubles, drive guys in whenever they're on and just square the ball up. Let the game dictate what the at-bat holds for you."

In 126 games last season, the 22-year-old Naquin turned in a .269/.334/.405 slash line between Class A Advanced Carolina and Double-A Akron. He piled up 15 stolen bases, 46 extra-base hits, 48 RBIs and 78 runs along the way. After hitting no homers in 137 at-bats with Class A (short-season) Mahoning Valley in 2012, Naquin launched 10 in 528 at-bats in '13.

Cleveland selected Naquin with the 15th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft.

This marks Naquin's first Spring Training in big league camp with the Indians.

"He's a good, young player," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "We just don't know how good he's going to be. His career is in front of him and it's going to be fun to see what he turns into. He's a really good outfielder with a good, strong throwing arm. We don't know what he's going to be as a hitter, but it'll be fun to watch him grow."